Russia-+Odegaard,+Wiebye+B4



Russia

__ The Land __ Russia is divided into three different regions; European Russia, West Siberian Lowland, and Highlands of Eastern Siberia. European Russia is the larger part of the East European Plain that has many lowlands and is home to the old Ural Mountains. Western Siberia is a swampy and forested area but also much like European Russia. From earlier geological history platforms had rose and fallen which created many shallow seas. The highlands of Eastern Siberia have many small mountain ranges. One of the smaller mountain ranges on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island has an active volcano. The Volga River is the most important river in Russia. All of the rivers in Russia flow north accept the Volga and Don River.

__ Climate and Vegitation __ Russia’s climate is mostly a continental type with very hot summers and very cold winters. It’s separated into 3 different types; Arctic Tundra, taiga, or humid forest. The coniferous-forest region stretches somewhat across Russia in a broad belt covering almost half of the nation. Russia contains one-third of the world’s forestland. Most of the steppe climates are found in Ukraine, in Europe, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia. __ Population and Culture __ Russia’s population is about 142.5 million people. 82% of Russia is ethnic Russians. More than 10% of Russia is Muslim there are also small groups of Buddhists in Russia. New years is one of the most popular and well-known holiday. According to a special calendar they have their Christmas falls on January 7. Russia’s independence day is on June 12 which is a new holiday since 1991.

__ Economy __ Russia has become focused on becoming a full partner in global community. Global demand for natural resources such as oil and timber has created a difficult challenge. Russia has a market economy and is also part of the United Nations Security Council and a European Organization. Most of the people in Russia use public transportation such as high speed trains and other things. Russians main currency is called Russian ruble. In 2008 falling oil prices and global financial crisis hit Russia hard, but recovery soon came in 2009.

History/Government Napolean and his army had invaded Russia in 1812. In 1814 Russia defeated France’s Napolean. Russians historical roots go all the way back to A.D. 600. Slaves had ruled for about 240 years. Government had owned banks, farms, factories, and transportation systems. In 1917 there were two revolutions that had swept through Russia that had led to the Soviet Union.

Global Issues Boost of crude oil prices that lasted through 2008. The Russian markets were getting worse because of the countries outdated market. Russia’s stock market is down by about 70%.

Sites are printed out.